MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lifted the swimming ban on Section 1 of Boracay Island after being closed for some time due to a defecation incident involving foreign tourists.

The Department declared on Thursday (August 15) that water quality at the incident site is already safe from coliform content.

Based on the result of the water quality test conducted on Wednesday (August 14), the coliform content in the area is now at 1 most probable number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml).

This is way below the normal level of at least 100 MPN / 100ml of water which is the standard to consider that the water is safe for swimming.

Thus, Secretary Cimatu ordered to remove the cordon and signage of the swimming ban that were installed 100 meters along the beach front of Section 1.

Meanwhile, Malacañang condemns the actions of the Chinese tourists and according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, they should be held liable for violating environmental laws in the island.

“It’s a violation. We are not happy about that,” Panelo said.

“We’re supposed to be cleaning it up. Pagkatapos (Then) some people are messing It up. Hindi maganda. (That’s unfavorable) Whether filipino yun, o tourist, it’s offensive to the sight. It’s not a good scene,” he added.

Panelo calls on foreign tourists to abide by the law whenever they are in the country.

Meanwhile, the Boracay management was quick to provide portable restrooms for tourists following the incident.

Boracay authorities are planning to review local ordinances to make sure they still fit to the current situation in the tourist island.  – MNP (with details from Vincent Arboleda)

Malacañang on Thursday (Aug 15) reminded tourists — both locals and foreign nationals — to follow rules implemented in the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo expressed disappointment over the incident in Boracay where a foreign tourist allowed her son to poop in the shoreline then buried the dirty diaper in the sand.

READ: Portion of Boracay island closed after pooping incident

“It’s a violation. Of course, we are not happy about that. That is not good because we are supposed to be cleaning it then some people are messing it up, right? That’s not good,” Panelo said.

He added that violators will face charges if they do not follow the rules.

“Well, there are rules and regulations in that place. So everyone is expected to—whether foreigner or Filipino tourists alike, they have to follow rules and that obviously is a violation so they would be subject to suits,” he added.

Panelo also suggested placing portable restrooms to help the tourists.—AAC

Several areas in Boracay Island have been submerged in flood since Tuesday (July 16) due to heavy monsoon rain brought by tropical storm Falcon.

Barangay Balabag and several parts of Barangay Manoc-Manoc are experiencing knee-deep flood.

This is despite the modern technologies installed such as the High Density Polyethylene Plastic or HOPE plastic used as storm drains in the island.

According to Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MDRRM) Officer Catherine Ong Fulgencio, they still expected flooding in several areas. She said they already have water pumps on stand by.

“Since hindi pa po tapos ang rehabilitation, may mga areas po na talagang babahain po. We have planned na kapag meron ulan, merong pong mag-stand by na water pump, (Since the rehabilitation is still unfinished, there are areas that will experience flooding. We have planned that when it rains, there will be water pumps on stand by),” she said.

The water pumps are already being used to reduce flood water in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the local government and the MDRMM continue to monitor the situation in the flooded areas.—AAC (with reports from Vincent Arboleda)